Eric Leroy Adams who’s publicly known as Eric Adams is an American politician and retired police officer and is also the 18th borough president of Brooklyn, NY. Mr. Adams is also the Democratic Party nominee in the 2021 New York City mayoral election.

Born in Brownsville, Brooklyn on September 1, 1960, Eric Adams was born to a working class family, and often endured hardship while growing-up in school. He was the fourth of six children and as a young boy he worked as a squeegee boy. At age 14, Adams joined a gang, the 7-Crowns, and became known as “a tough little guy”.

After a conformation with the law, Eric Adams suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder but has said that the violent encounter motivated him to enter law enforcement. Despite suffering from a learning disability, he began attending college while working as a mechanic and a mailroom clerk at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office. He went on to receive an associate degree from the New York City College of Technology, a B.A. from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and an M.P.A. from Marist College.

Eric Adams served as an officer in the New York City Transit Police and in the New York City Police Department (NYPD) for 22 years. In the 1990s, Adams began to eye a political career, with the ultimate goal to become the Mayor of New York City.

In 2006, Adams ran for New York State Senate. He was elected and served four terms until 2013, when he was elected Brooklyn Borough President. He represented the 20th Senate District, which includes parts of the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, and Sunset Park.

Hats off to Eric Adams, he was faced with adversity from early on but he’s one of many perfect examples that when you don’t give up, great things can occur in ones live.

Eric Adams Back Moments:

• Received an associate degree from the New York City College of Technology
• Received a B.A. from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice
• Received a M.P.A. from Marist College
• Attended the New York City Police Academy and graduated second in his class in 1984
• Served as an officer in the New York City Transit Police & in the New York City Police Department (NYPD) for 22 years
• Co-founded 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care
• Adams was a first responder at the World Trade Center
• Retired with the rank of captain from the police force in 2006 after serving more than two decades in the NYPD
• In 1994, Adams ran for Congress against incumbent Major Owens in the Democratic primary for New York’s 11th congressional district
• In 2006, Adams ran for New York State Senate, was elected and served four terms
• He was elected Brooklyn Borough President in 2013
• became Chair of the Senate Racing and Wagering Committee in 2010
• Was a vocal opponent of the NYPD’s “stop and frisk” policy
• Established One Brooklyn Fund, a non-profit organization for community programs, grant writing, and extolling local businesses
• By adopting a whole food plant-based diet, exercising regularly, in six months lost 30 pounds and reversed his diabetes

RELATED BLACK MOMENTS: Michael Tubbs